AllFreeNovel
Share Us
11
Holly ran a hand over the bubbles in her bath and let out a long, breathy sigh.
So this was thirty.
All attempts at finding someone to do something with had been fruitless. Friends from the past had moved or had babies. She hadn’t even bothered to message many of them. Mum and Dad had done their best, bless them, but it wasn’t what she’d envisaged for the big three-oh. Okay, she wasn’t exactly in the party mood, but tea followed by blowing out a single candle on a carrot cake didn’t feel like enough. Everyone was tired, herself included, but the lack of theatrics only added to her melancholy mood.
She held a mound of bubbles on her palm and blew, sending tufts of bubbly foam into the air.
She’d had plenty of well-wishes on social media, but nothing spectacular.
Had she been in London it was doubtful she would have done much. Post-Shona, there was a one hundred per cent chance she’d have done nothing. With-Shona … who knew? It didn’t matter.
When she’d been younger, thirty felt old, a million miles away. She thought she’d be married by now, maybe not quite at starting a family, but close. And work? That would be in the bag.
If she could only win this five grand, she could maybe turn some of that around. Living at home had its advantages. She could help Mum and Dad at the deli, continue paying off her credit cards, and use the prize money to start her business. It wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but she wanted to start her own stationery brand. Cards, prints, coasters. She’d sell online and in local shops to start with, and then who knew? She just needed the capital to get going.
It felt wrong to be dreaming about winning, like she was teasing herself. It hadn’t felt achievable before, though, and now, suddenly in the least expected way possible, it could become a reality.
Although she might have scared Jen off now. Come on too strong.
Holly scrunched up her eyes, as if closing them might change things, allowing her to rewind. She shouldn’t have asked Jen to do something tonight. It was overstepping a mark. This was her forte: find something good and self-sabotage.
If she was alone in her flat she would get drunk. Living at home didn’t allow for it, though. It was one of the reasons Mum and Dad had urged her to come back. Drink wasn’t a problem, but she had found it the perfect solution to numbing the voice in her head. Too many nights in London had been spent doing exactly that, in the last few months. Not healthy.
Instead, she’d have her bath, put on a fresh pair of pyjamas and watch Netflix. She didn’t even have the energy to draw.
Nailed it as usual, Holly.
Her phone chimed, making her jump.
Holding it as far as humanly possible from the bath’s edge, she checked the message and couldn’t help but smile. Jen.
A hand might be nice, actually. You still free? Xx
She’d messaged ages ago. Surely Jen wasn’t still in her shop?
You’re working late. Will I come to the shop? Xx
The reply was almost instant:
Got a lot to do. Pop round whenever xx
Holly’s heart fluttered into action.
She placed the phone on the sink, out of harm's way, and pulled the plug. She couldn’t risk lounging about; Jen didn’t strike her as the patient type. It was now or never if she didn’t want to spend the last few hours of her birthday in pyjamas.
She’d need to do redo her make-up, but that was an easy fix. Not like this was a mission to impress, anyway. She flung on a towel and padded to her bedroom, today’s outfit in her arms, phone tucked under her chin.
She dumped the clothes on the bed. It didn’t feel like the right ensemble. The jeans, yeah, they felt okay. But her floral top? Nope.
She opened her wardrobe. None of it felt right. Too formal or floaty. There was no happy in-between.
She pulled on her underwear and skinny jeans before inspecting the drawer containing her T-shirts.
Simple. Classic. Can’t go wrong.
But was it right?
